Description
Enjoy this creamy baked mac and cheese recipe that delivers rich flavors and a smooth texture. It’s perfect for gatherings and features the best oven bake mac and cheese with cream. This dish is a hit for any Mac And Cheese With Cream lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 4 cups of heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 2 cups shredded gruyere cheese or mozzarella cheese
- ½ + teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Panko breadcrumbs optional
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Boil water in a saucepan and cook elbow macaroni for the shortest time indicated on the package to keep it al-dente.
- Drain the cooked pasta and transfer it into a baking dish.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the heavy cream then add 2 cups of cheddar cheese, gruyere cheese, smoked paprika, and salt. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth, then bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Mix the creamy cheese sauce with the pasta thoroughly.
- Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of cheddar cheese evenly over the pasta mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- The recipe can be doubled and cooked in a larger baking pan
- We don’t recommend using pre-shredded cheese since it contains potato starch and doesn’t melt as well or create nice cheese pulls
- For a crispier, browner top, switch the oven off and use the broiler setting until you get your preferred browning
- You can also add precooked protein to turn this into a complete one-pan meal
- Increase smoked paprika for a smokier flavor loved by many
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 723 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 512 mg
- Fat: 59 g
- Saturated Fat: 36 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g + 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 182 mg